In this session, we will cover the basics of ImageJ macro programming using a simple example: how to quantify signal enrichment at the nuclear rim? Trainees will (re)discover how to record actions, plan a workflow and organise their code. This session will alternate presentation of technical points, to be directly applied during practical exercises. The macro will progressively complexify as new notions are taught.

2D Gaussian fitting macro (Fiji/ImageJ) for multiple signals.

This script includes a rough feature detection and then fine 2D Gaussian algorithm to fit Gaussians within detected regions. This macro is unique because the ImageJ/Fiji curve fitting API only supports 1-D curve. I get around this by linearising the equation. This implementation is for isotropic (spherical) or anistropic (longer in x/y) diagonally covariant Gaussians but not fully covariant Gaussians (anisotropic and rotated).

HyphaTracker

HyphaTracker propose a workflow for time-resolved analysis of conidia germination. Each part of this workflow can also be used independnatly , as a toolbox. It has been tested on bright-field microscopic images of conidial germination. Its purpose is mainly to identify the germlings and to remove crossing hyphae, and measure the dynamics of their growth.

NeuriteTracer

"The plugin analyzes fluorescence microscopy images of neurites and nuclei of dissociated cultured neurons. Given user-defined thresholds, the plugin counts neuronal nuclei, and traces and measures neurite length."[...]" NeuriteTracer is a fast simple-to-use ImageJ plugin for the analysis of outgrowth in two-dimensional fluorescence microscopy images of neuronal cultures. The plugin performed well on images from three different types of neurons with distinct morphologies."

This plugin requires parameter setting: Threshold levels and scale (see more details on the related publication)

Skin Tools

The skin tools measure the thickness of the epidermis and the interdigitation index.

The input images are masks that represent the epidermis and that have been created from images of stained histological sections. The mask must touch the left and right border of the image. The dermal-epidermal border must be on the lower site of the image. The interdigitation index can be measured for one or more segments per image. As a measure of the thickness of the epidermis the lengths of a number of random line segments are measured. The line segments start at the lower border, are perpendicular to the lower border and end at the opposite border of the mask.

Adipocyte quantification ImageJ by Baecker

The Adipocytes Tools help to analyze fat cells in images from histological section. This is a rather general cell segmentation approach. It can be adapted to different situations via the parameters. This means that you have to find the right parameters for your application.

Neural Circuit Tracer

Neural Circuit Tracer (NCTracer) is open source software for automated and manual tracing of neurites from light microscopy stacks of images. NCTracer has more than one workflow available for neuron tracing.

"The Neural Circuit Tracer is open source software built using Java (Sun Microsystems) and Matlab (MathWorks, Inc., Natick MA). It is based on the core of ImageJ (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij) and the graphic user interface has been developed by using Java Swings. The software combines anumber of functionalities of ImageJ with several newly developed functions for automated and manual tracing of neurites. The Neural Circuit Tracer is designed in a way
that will allow the users to add any plug-ins developed for ImageJ. More importantly, functions written in MatLab and converted into Java with Matlab JA toolbox can also be added to the Neural Circuit Tracer."